NEWS UPDATE – 24th February 2025

• Priscilla Queen of the Desert – based on the 1994 Oscar-winning film, is set to hit the road and will burst onto Mayflower Theatre’s stage from 17 to 21 March 2025. Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot OBE alongside choreography by Olivier Award-winner Matt Cole with set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, the sassy and joyous Broadway and West End hit musical, follows the hilarious and heart-warming journey as three friends travel across Australia in a dilapidated bus nicknamed Priscilla to put on the show of a lifetime. Casting will be announced in due course. Priscilla Queen of the Desert UK & Ireland Tour is produced by Mark Goucher and Matthew Gale (Hairspray The Musical, The Full Monty and Shrek The Musical) and will open at the Palace Theatre in Manchester from 19 to 28 February, King’s Theatre in Glasgow from 2 to 7 March, Liverpool Empire from 9 to 14 March, Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from 17 to 21 March, Birmingham Hippodrome from 23 to 28 March, Norwich Theatre Royal from 30 March to 4 April, Theatre Royal in Newcastle from 6 to 11 April, Edinburgh Playhouse from 14 to 18 April, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 20 to 25 April, Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham from 28 April to 2 May, Aylesbury Theatre from 4 to 9 May, New Victoria in Woking from 11 to 16 May, The Marlowe in Canterbury from 25 to 30 May, Grand Opera House in Belfast from 1 to 6 June, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin from 8 to 13 June, Theatre Royal in Brighton from 16 to 20 June, Curve Theatre in Leicester from 22 to 27 June, Alhambra Theatre in Bradford from 6 to 11 July, and Hall for Cornwall in Truro from 14 to 18 July.
• The Choir of Man – a new company will be joining the production as it moves back to the West End! The pub-set show follows a male choir as they reflect on their lives through song. It has played on tour, at the Edinburgh Fringe and in Earl’s Court, settling into a run at the Arts Theatre in 2021. Following a period of closure for some minor venue redevelopment, the piece will return from 12 March and play until 31 August. Joining the show will be Jason Brock (Thriller Live) as Romantic, Benji Lord (Dreamboats and Petticoats: Bringing on Back The Good Times!) as Joker, David Booth (The Threepenny Opera) as Pub Bore, Paul McArthur (Tracks) as Poet, Oliver Jacobson (Come From Away) as Barman, with Alex Mallalieu (As You Like It) and Toby Francis (High Fidelity) as swings. They join pub regulars Rob Godfrey as Beast, Ifan Gwilym-Jones as Maestro, George Knapper as Handyman, with Bradley Walwyn as Hardman. David Shute and Tom Carter-Miles both return as swings. The show is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Doodson, with Daniel Harnett as associate director and resident director.
• The Mad Ones – The Drama Desk-nominated musical will open at London’s Other Palace Studio for a four-week run from 7 May to 1 June 2025. The musical tells the story of Samantha Brown, a high school senior grappling with grief and the weight of her future after the death of her best friend, Kelly. Originally premiering off-Broadway in 2017 under the title The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, the show has since gained a strong online following. Its viral popularity includes millions of YouTube views and the sale of over 15,000 pieces of sheet music before licensing rights were made available. Following a well-received run at Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre in April 2023, the production marks the musical’s London debut. It has music by Bree Lowdermilk and book and lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. Set to star will be Courtney Stapleton as Kelly, Dora Gee as Sam, Jacob Fowler as Adam, and Thea-Jo Wolfe as Beverly, with Eliza Bowden as swing Directed by Emily Susanne Lloyd, the creative team also includes musical director Callum Thompson, choreographer Lauren Stroud and set and costume designer Reuben Speed, with lighting design by Joanne Marshall. The production is led by producers Samantha Creswick and Electric Press Productions, with creative producers James Edge and West End Best Friend Productions overseeing the project. The transfer runs alongside Kerrigan’s The Great Gatsby, which is moving to the West End from Broadway in April 2025.
• BBC Radio 2- has announced its spring schedule, featuring new programmes and specials. There will be a concert at the London Palladium on 25 April to mark Elaine Paige’s career, featuring performances from a number of major West End names. Paige will also be in conversation with Zoe Ball for a special programme covering her life and career, with exclusive stories behind some of her most well-known numbers. Jeremy Vine will present The Heat is On in Saigon, exploring the legacy of the Vietnam War through the music of the era and the musical Miss Saigon. The programme includes insights from historians and contributions from Lea Salonga, Jon Jon Briones, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Alain Boublil. Michelle Visage will present The Musicals That Changed My Life, a reflection on her love of musical theatre, tracing her journey from childhood influences to her performances in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and The Addams Family. The programme includes her personal stories and reflections on figures such as Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, and Stephen Sondheim. Big Night of Musicals will return for its fourth year, airing on 27 April. Recorded at Manchester AO Arena, the event will be hosted by Jason Manford and feature performances from Calamity Jane, Dear Evan Hansen, Here and Now – The Steps Musical, Mean Girls, and Hercules. The show will include backstage interviews with performers and insights from the West End. A March televised broadcast date will be revealed in due course.
• The Sound Of Music –Curve, Leicester has announced a new production of the musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the musical follows Maria, a novice nun sent to care for the von Trapp children. Famed numbers include “My Favorite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss”. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the Made at Curve production will mark the 60th anniversary of the 1965 film adaptation. The production will be accompanied by engagement activities, including an education pack, school workshops, and a Theatre Day on 4 December. The revival will run from 22 November 2025 to 11 January 2026, with a range of accessible performances available, including British Sign Language interpreted, captioned, dementia-friendly, audio-described, and relaxed performances.
• The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – has announced new company members for its Other Palace run which is scheduled until 31 Augsut 2025. The musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling The Lightning Thief first premiered off-Broadway in 2014 and has since toured the US, including a limited Broadway run in 2019. The team for the London premiere includes book scribe Joe Tracz (Be More Chill), composer and lyricist Rob Rokicki (Monstersongs), and director-choreographer Lizzi Gee (Groundhog Day). From 3 March 2025, Morgan Gregory will take over the lead role of Percy Jackson, having previously understudied in the role, alongside Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly as Annabeth and Angus Benstead as Grover. Also cast are Paisley Billings as Sally Jackson/Medusa (continuing in the show), Jazz Evans (Spamalot) as Mr Brunner/Poseidon/Hades, Joshua Lay (A Chorus Line) as Mr D, Kenedy Small (Six) as Clarisse, Xander Pang (Dear Evan Hansen) as Luke/Ares. The ensemble includes Philip Catchpole (The Book of Mormon) and Alex Waxman, making her professional stage debut, alongside new members Owen Lloyd (Girl from the North Country) and Rachel Moran (Just For One Day). Set and costume design is by Ryan Dawson Laight (My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?)), with lighting by Charlie Morgan Jones (Derren Brown – Showman), sound design by Dominic Bilkey (The Lehman Trilogy), and video design by Duncan McLean (Shrek The Musical). Other key roles include illusions by Richard Pinner (Here You Come Again), fight direction by Lisa Connell (Heathers), puppet direction by Laura Cubitt (A Monster Calls) and musical supervision by Jeremy Wootton (Heathers). The musical director is Ben McQuigg (The Power of Camelot).
• Dear England – Olivier Award-winning play will kick off a new tour this autumn. James Graham’s piece, about Gareth Southgate’s multi-year vision for the England men’s football team, first premiered at the National Theatre in the summer of 2023 before transferring to the West End. It is already scheduled to return to the National next month, ahead of a nation-wide tour which will commence with a four-week season at the Lowry in Salford before moving on at Plymouth Theatre Royal on 15 September and then Nottingham Theatre Royal (23 to 27 September), Marlowe, Canterbury (7 to 18 October), Sheffield Lyceum (21 to 25 October), Leeds Grand Theatre (4 to 8 November), Theatre Royal Newcastle (11 to 15 November), Chichester Festival Theatre (20 to 29 November) and in 2026, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (13 to 17 January), Milton Keynes Theatre (20 to 24 January), New Theatre, Oxford (27 to 31 January), Norwich Theatre Royal (3 to 7 February), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (10 to 14 February), Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (17 to 21 February), New Wimbledon Theatre (24 to 28 February), Liverpool Empire (3 to 7 March) and Birmingham Hippodrome (10 to 14 March). Directed by Rupert Goold, the show’s creative team includes set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jon Clark, co-movement directors Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, video designer Ash J Woodward, co-sound designers Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons with additional music by Max Perryment. Casting for the tour is to be announced. A TV adaptation is also in the works.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – has added an extra 50 seats to the Palace Theatre’s auditorium as it extends its West End run until February 2026. The move means there are now 360,000 new tickets across the production’s two parts. The announcement coincides with the show welcoming its two-millionth audience member at the Palace Theatre this month, having spent more than eight years in the West End since its premiere in July 2016. Palace Theatre owner Nica Burns, chief executive of Nimax Theatres, explained the new seats were a bid to improve sightlines in the theatre, and involved reseating the entire auditorium, which itself required various licence applications to be approved by stakeholders in order to go ahead.

NEWS UPDATE – 17th February 2025

• Miss Saigon – a new production directed byJean-Pierre van der Spuy, (who recently directed the acclaimed Australian Opera production of Miss Saigon) along with Matthew Bourne who is co-directing the successful new production of Oliver! in the West End, will tour the UK later this year, and additional dates have been revealed. Now, new dates have been added – Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 January), Hull New Theatre (Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 January), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (Tuesday 27 January to Saturday 7 February), Theatre Royal, Plymouth (Tuesday 17 to Saturday 28 February), His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 March), Grand Opera House, Belfast (Tuesday 10 to Saturday 21 March), and Nottingham, Theatre Royal (Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 4 April). These follow on from the previously announced tour dates -Newcastle Theatre Royal, where it plays from Saturday 4 to Saturday 25 October. After that, it will then head to the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh (Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November), Palace Theatre, Manchester (Tuesday 4 to Saturday 15 November), the Alexandra in Birmingham (Tuesday 18 to Saturday 29 November), Leeds Grand Theatre (Tuesday 2 to Saturday 13 December) and New Theatre, Oxford (Tuesday 16 December 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026). Telling the story of a young girl, Kim, who falls in love with an American GI, the show has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jnr and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French text by Alain Boublil with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler. Joining the creative team are co-choreographers Chrissie Cartwright and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, set and costume designer Andrew Edwards, and lighting designer Bruno Poet. Sound design is by Adam Fisher and video design is by George Reeve. Graham Hurman is the musical supervisor and Sarah Leung is responsible for casting.
• Come Fall In Love – a new stage musical based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Aditya Chopra, the original director of the Hindi-language film (affectionately known as DDLJ), the stage version’s narrative will be set in the UK. It follows Simran, a young British Indian woman who finds herself engaged to a family friend in India as an arranged marriage. However, the plot thickens when she falls in love with a British man named Roger. Set to star in the musical will be Jena Pandya, taking on the role of Simran, with Ashley Day in the role of Roger, returning to the British stage for the first time since his amazing lead performances in ‘An American In Paris’ at London’s Dominion and ‘Top Hat’ at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The production will feature an original score, complete with 18 songs. Music is by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and the book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls, Legally Blonde). An American version was previously staged in San Diego in 2022. The creative team also includes choreographer Rob Ashford (Disney’s Frozen), co-choreographer Shruti Merchant (Taj Express), scenic designer Derek McLane (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), lighting designer Japhy Weideman, sound designer Tony Gayle, video designer Akhila Krishnan, musical supervisor and arranger Ted Arthur and musical director Ben Holder, with casting director David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting. The show is produced by Chopra’s Yash Raj Films. The musical will open at Manchester’s Opera House on 29 May 2025, playing through until 21 June 2025.
• Hadestown – star Patrick Page has provided an update on his condition following his foot injury earlier this month, which forced him to miss performances during the show’s West End run. The star, who originated the role of Hades at the National Theatre and on Broadway, posted today confirming he’ll be out of action for the full run at the Lyric Theatre. The run had originally been set to mark a reunion season for all five of the show’s originating stars. However, Page will be back for the production’s filmed performances and shooting schedule – with his performance therefore immortalised as the musical is filmed. Leading the cast alongside Page and Boykin (who played the role of Hades from 2023 to 2025) are the show’s original Broadway leads – André de Shields (as Hermes), Eva Noblezada (as Eurydice), Reeve Carney (as Orpheus) and Amber Gray (as Persephone). Playing the Fates are Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne and Allie Daniel (with Charlemagne returning to the role after previously starring as Eurydice). The workers are Lauren Azania, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Waylon Jacobs and Christopher Short, with the swings Lucinda Buckley, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Winny Herbert, Ryesha Higgs and Miriam Nyarko. With music, lyrics and book by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the show has direction by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. The genre-defying musical returned to UK shores last year and tells two mythic love stories – that of Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – with both on a journey to the underworld and back. A live London cast album was released last year. The full cast are expected to remain with the production until 9 March 2025, after that point a brand new company will takeover,
• The Parent Agency – the new musical adaptation of David Baddiel’s best-selling book is set to premiere at Storyhouse Chester where it will run from Saturday 15 February until Sunday 2 March 2025, ahead of a planned national tour and London run. The musical has a book and lyrics by Baddiel and music and additional lyrics by Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie). It is directed by Tim Jackson (Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)). Produced by John Berry and Anthony Lilley of Scenario Two and Suzie Henderson and Helen Redcliffe of Storyhouse, The Parent Agency follows 11-year-old Barry Bennett, who wishes for new parents after growing tired of his own. Barry’s wish transports him to an alternate universe, “Youngdon” in the “United Kid-dom,” where children can select their ideal parents with the help of the Parent Agency. The production marks the tenth anniversary of Baddiel’s book, which has sold over 355,000 copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages. Originally released in 2014, The Parent Agency went on to win the Laugh Out Loud Award. The cast is led by Max Bispham (Mrs Doubtfire), Osian Salter (The Osmonds), Eli Sowden-Mehta (Wonka) and Louis Wilkins (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), sharing the role of Barry, alongside Rebecca McKinnis (Dear Evan Hansen) as Susan and Rakesh Boury (Matilda) as Geoff. Completing the company are Kazmin Borrer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Elliot Broadfoot (Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!), Natasha Cayabyab (Shrek the Musical), Dylan Collymore (Shrek the Musical), Sarah McFarlane (Six), Joshian Angelo Omaña (Why Am I So Single?), Alan Vicary (Girl from the North Country), Ralph Birthwell (Life of Pi), Althea Burey (The Gruffalo), Elliot Copeland (Becoming Nancy), Jessica Daugirda (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Sophia Lewis (Around the World in 80 Days) and Robbie Scott (Sunshine on Leith). The creative team also includes choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, costume designer Sarah Mercadé, lighting designer Zoe Spurr, assistant director Francesca Hsieh. music Supervisor Nick Finlow, music director Ellen Campbell, sound designer Paul Gatehouse, associate sound designer Richard Jones, and wig, hair and make-up designer Craig Forrest-Thomas.
• The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs by Iman Qureshi – a musical comedy that follows a lesbian choir striving for a place on the Pride mainstage will open the new season at London’s Kiln Theatre. Directed by Hannah Hauer-King and co-produced with Antic Productions and Damsel Productions, it runs from 13 June to 12 July 2025 following a previous sold-out run at Soho Theatre. Another new musical, Coven, about the Pendle Witch Trials, will have its world premiere. With music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning Daisy Chute and Rebecca Brewer, and a book by Brewer, it is directed by award winner Miranda Cromwell. The production runs from 31 October to 13 December 2025.

NEWS UPDATE – 10th February 2025

• The Great Gatsby – the musical is set for it’s European Premiere at London Coliseum on 11 April 2025, and will run through to 7 September 2025. The show, currently playing on Broadway, is based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel about a self-made millionaire and his quest for the American Dream (in the arms of the married woman living across the bay). Set to lead the show in the West End will be Jamie Muscato, taking on the role of Jay Gatsby. Joining him as Daisy Buchanan will be Frances Mayli McCann. The Great Gatsby features a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones), an original score by Tony Award nominees Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square), and direction by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). The production is choreographed by Dominique Kelley, with Tony Award-winning costume design by Linda Cho and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning scenic and projection design by Paul Tate de Poo III. The team is completed by lighting designer Cory Pattak, sound designer Brian Ronan, hair and wig designers Drama Desk Award winner Charles G LaPointe and Rachael Geier. Arrangements are by Jason Howland, orchestrations are by Howland and Kim Scharnberg and the music producer is Grammy Award winner Billy Jay Stein for Strike Audio. UK casting is by Jill Green Casting.
• Only Fools And Horses The Musical – direct from a record-breaking four-year run in London’s West End – featuring Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil, Mickey Pearce, Mike the Barman, the Driscoll Brothers and all the gang – is breaking more records across the country. The latest is at Mayflower Theatre where it stops for 6 nights from 3 – 8 March 2025 and in the past week, the theatre has announced that all eight performances have sold out. Considering that the theatre seats over 2,300 this is an amazing feat that in just 6 days 18,500 people will see this show on the South Coast.
• To Kill A Mockingbird – Aaron Sorkin’s riveting stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s seminal American novel about racial injustice and childhood innocence that became a Broadway and West End sensation with star-studded sell-out seasons on both sides of the Atlantic, will now embark on its first ever UK & Ireland tour and will tour to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from 24 – 28 March 2026. Successful lawyer, Atticus Finch, encourages kindness and empathy in his children, but is pushed to the limits of these qualities himself when he resolves to uncover the truth in a town that seems determined to hide it. Aaron Sorkin has had many years of great success on stage and screen. He is perhaps best known as the creator and screenwriter of hit TV series The West Wing, and as the screenwriter for The Social Network, for which he received an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Writer’s Guild Award. He is also the writer-creator of The Newsroom and Academy Award-winning film A Few Good Men. Bartlett Sher spent over ten years as Director of New York’s Lincoln Centre Theater and has also headed acclaimed productions such as My Fair Lady, The King and I and South Pacific. Casting is still to be announced for the UK & Ireland tour.
• The Baddies – casting has been announced for the brand-new stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit 2022 story. It will embark on a UK tour, visiting Mayflower Studios, Southampton from 16 – 19 April 2025. Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost! The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who will succeed? Or perhaps the girl is braver than they think… Directed and choreographed by Katie Beard, and with songs by Joe Stilgoe (Zog and Zog and The Flying Doctors), The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story, and a laugh-out-loud riot for all the family. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book has been adapted for the stage by David Greig and Jackie Crichton. The cast will be led by James Stirling (Zog and The Flying Doctors, UK Tour and Cadogan Hall, Timpson: the Musical, UK tour) as ‘Ghost’, with Lottie Mae O’Kill (Zog, UK Tour, 13 The Musical, Ambassadors) as ‘Mama Mouse’, Yuki Sutton (Ride, Charing Cross Theatre; Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts, Polka Theatre) as ‘Girl’ and swing Ben Simon (As You Like it, The Duke’s Theatre Co, Little Red Riding Hood, Birmingham Rep).  Joining them will be Rosie Meek (The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre) as ‘Witch’ and Nic James (Mr Bloom’s Nursery, UK Tour) as ‘Troll’ as well as Georgie McSherry (Schwartz at 75, Lyric Theatre) as a swing and dance captain. The Baddies has set and costume design by Jasmine Swan, lighting design by Simon Hayes, fight direction by Carlotta De Gregori from RC Annie and puppetry from Edie Edmundsen. Alongside sound design from Richard Brooks, is musical direction from Paul Herbert, Heather Scott Martin as associate choreographer, and Cleo McCabe as costume supervisor and Craig Fleming as production manager. The stage management team consists of technical SM [lighting] Anna Eagle and CSM Jack Sheffield. Freckle Productions are pioneers in imaginative storytelling for children and the team behind smash -hit stage hits including Stick Man, Tabby McTat, Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, Zog, and Zog and the Flying Doctors.
• Lost Atoms – Frantic Assembly’s world premiere production written by Anna Jordan and directed by Scott Graham will premiere at Curve Theatre, Leicester from 22 September to 4 October 2025 before embarking on an extensive 17 week tour calling at its co-producing venue, Mayflower Studios, Southampton from 25 to 29 November 2025 and culminating in a four week run at lyric Hammersmith theatre from 30 January – 28 February 2026. It tells the story of a relationship: an extraordinary, transformative love. Or is that only in hindsight? Perhaps it was just typical? Or toxic? Or doomed from the start? One thing’s for sure: It changed their lives. Two people plunge deep into their shared pasts and propel themselves into multiple imagined futures. At times hilarious, at times devastating, Lost Atoms explores how memory impacts the way we look at love, and asks what makes a truly ‘successful’ relationship? The piece is written by Anna Jordon, directed by Scott Graham, and produced by Kerry Whelan. The set design will be by Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound design by Carolyn Downing, costume design by Alice McNicholas and music supervision by Julie Blake. Commissioned and produced by Frantic Assembly, Lost Atoms will be a co-production with Mayflower Southampton, Leicester Curve and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Other projects to mark Frantic Assembly’s 30^th anniversary, milestone year include the release of an updated, third edition of the Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre, with new content from Scott Graham and a new devising challenge Frantic Mirrors, following the success of Chair Duets, which became a global phenomenon when it went viral inspiring people across the world to explore their creativity. Fundraising efforts also continue into 2025 to save Ignition, Frantic Assembly’s innovative, free, nationwide, talent development programme for young people aged 16-24 from communities where access to the arts is limited or non-existent. More news on Ignition will be announced soon.
• Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK preview the new ballet at Plymouth Theatre Royal (28 May – 1 June 2025), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (10 – 14 June 2025) and Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (18 – 21 June 2025) before having its official World Premiere at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London (24 June – 13 July 2025). It will then visit The Lowry, Salford (15 – 19 July 2025). In 1973, guitar smashing rock genius Pete Townshend wrote Quadrophenia. Recorded by The Who – it quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album. Quadrophenia defined a generation and in 1979 inspired a classic feature film of the same name. Now it’s back – this time as an explosive dance production – Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – with a cast of exceptional dancers, introducing new audiences to troubled Mod Jimmy’s story while remaining true in spirit to the much-loved original. Quadrophenia is steeped in the mythology of the 1960s – sharp suits, soul music, vespas and parkas but its themes of lost youth, rebellion, the search for belonging and hunger for social change are just as urgent today. Rising star Paris Fitzpatrick will perform the iconic lead role of Jimmy (Northern Ballet, New Adventures, and BalletBoyz). He has been nominated for The Times Breakthrough Award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, and he won Outstanding Male Modern Performance at the National Dance Awards 2024. The role of Mod Girl will be shared by Serena McCall and Taela Yeomans-Brown. Serena McCall (Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Sadler’s Wells/Universal Music UK co-production Message in a Bottle. Wicked movie. Taela Yeomans-Brown (Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre,  Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre and The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre). They will be joined by Dan Baines as Ace Face and Curtis Angus, Jonathon Luke Baker, Will Bozier, Anya Ferdinand, Euan Garrett, Seirian Griffiths, Georges Hann, Tia May Hockey, Dylan Jones, Stuart Neal, Joshua Nkemdilim, Zach Parkin, Amaris Pearl-Gillies, Yasset Roldan, Sam Salter, Pam Pam Sapchartanan, and Kate Tydman. A rich, orchestral arrangement of the album by Rachel Fuller and Martin Batchelar, first heard in concert version at The Royal Albert Hall and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the backdrop for this brand new production. Choreographer Paul Roberts and Director Rob Ashford bring together some of the UK’s finest creative talent from the worlds of music, theatre, film and dance, with assistant choreographer Liam Riddick. With original costumes by renowned British fashion house Paul Smith and Natalie Pryce, costume styling by Hannah Teare, set design by Christopher Oram, projection by yeastculture.org and lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli, the creative team bring new dimensions to the raw energy and emotion of one of the UK’s most iconic rock albums.
• Calamity Jane – Jamie Wilson Productions are delighted to announce the full casting of the revival of The Watermill Theatre’s whip-crackin’ production of the Broadway and West End hit musical Calamity Jane. The musical opens its UK tour at Woking New Victoria Theatre on 25^th February 2025 and continues around the country calling at Mayflower Theatre from 3^rd to 7^th June and then continuing on until Bristol Hippodrome where it is currently scheduled to finish on 27^th September. Joining Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane will be Vinny Coyle as Wild Bill Hickock, Luke Wilson as Danny, Seren Sandham-Davies as Katie Brown. Peter Peverley as Henry Miller, Hollie Cassar as Susan, Samuel Holmes as Francis Fryer, Molly-Grace Cutler as Adelaide Adams, Richard Lock as Rattlesnake, Ben Mabberley as Hank and Stage Door Keeper, Fergus Murphy as Joe and Harry, Tomas Wolstenholme as Buck, Claire Greenway as Doc. The cast is completed by swings Emma Jane Morton, Lara Lewis, Jacob Leeson, Theo Diedrick and Stephen Scott Stark. Marking ten years since the show hit the road, the production reunites the previous creative team with Direction by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (An Officer and a Gentleman, Kinky Boots), Co-Direction and Choreography by Nick Winston (Shrek The Musical, Burlesque The Musical), Orchestration and Music Supervision by Catherine Jayes (The Color Purple, Merrily We Roll Along), and Set and Costume Design by Matthew Wright (Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Evita). This production will have Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison and Casting by Debbie O’Brien. Based on the Doris Day movie, this foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love. With music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and Orchestral & vocal arrangements by Philip J. Lang.
• Muriel’s Wedding the musical – the UK premiere of The Made at Curve production, a collaboration between Leicester and Global Creatures in association with Sydney Theatre Company, based on the 1994 film is set for Curve Leicester for 10^th April where it will run until 10 May 2025. The musical celebrated its world premiere in 2017 in Sydney, winning numerous awards including five Helpmann Awards and seven Sydney Theatre Awards. The story follows Muriel, who dreams of the perfect wedding but is stuck in a dead-end life in Porpoise Spit. She moves to Sydney, finds unexpected success, and discovers the importance of being true to oneself. The musical features a book by the film’s writer and director PJ Hogan, with music and lyrics by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, as well as additional songs by ABBA’s Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson. Leading the Curve production this spring as Muriel Heslop will be Megan Ellis, while joining Ellis in the show will be Annabel Marlow as Rhonda Epinstal and Darren Day playing father Bill Heslop, with Laura Medforth as mother Betty Heslop. Jacob Warner, who performed in the 2019 Australian tour of Muriel’s Wedding, will play Perry Heslop, with Joseph Peacock as Malcolm Heslop and Lena Pattie Jones as Joanie Heslop. The Porpoise Spit girl gang will be led by Helen Hill as Tania, with Lillie-Pearl Wildman, Jasmine Beel and Daisy Twells as Cheryl, Nicole and Janine respectively. Ethan Pascal Peters will play Brice, with Stephen Madsen reprising his role as Alexander Schkuratov from the world premiere production in Sydney. Chris Bennett will play Ken, with Bronte Alice-Tadman as Deidre and Frida, Jasmine Hackett as Agnetha, Aaron Tsindos as Benny and Jamie Doncaster as Björn. The ensemble includes Edward Turner, Carlo Boumouglbay, Andrew Berlin, Sophie Linder-Lee, Charlotte O’Rourke, Lizzie Nance, Serina Mathew, Will Luckett and Jamil Abbasi. It is directed by Simon Phillips and choreographed by Andrew Hallsworth. The creative team includes music supervisor, orchestrator and arranger Isaac Hayward, set designer Matthew Kinley, costume designer Gabriela Tylesova, video designer Andrzej Goulding, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, sound designer Adam Fisher, and hair, wigs and makeup by Campbell Young Associates. Casting is by Stuart Burt.
• Mary Poppins – the show is currently in Edinburgh and will move on to Plymouth (from 26 February). Manchester (from 9 April). Bradford Alhambra (from 21 May), Birmingham Hippodrome (from 16 July), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (from 27 August), Sunderland Empire (from 1 October) and Milton Keynes Theatre (29 October). The musical has unveiled further dates taking the show into 2026, which include a festive six-week season at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, where it runs from 3 December 2025 and Liverpool’s Empire Theatre from 14 January 2026. The hit musical, based on the iconic book series by PL Travers and the 1964 Disney film about a flying nanny who swoops in to change the lives of the Banks family, was last seen in the West End in early 2023. Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert for the initial tour stops, having played the parts in Australia in the show’s recent production down under. The stage show has original music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, a book by Julian Fellowes, orchestrations by William David Brohn and dance and vocal arrangements by Stiles. Richard Eyre directs, with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, co-choreography by Stephen Mear, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and scenic and costume design by Bob Crowley.
• Cry-Baby the Musical – Arcola Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for its upcoming production which will run from 6 March to 12 April 2025. The Tony-nominated musical follows the romance between Allison, a straight-laced rich girl and member of the ‘squares’, and Wade ‘Cry-Baby’ Walker, a rebellious outsider. Their relationship sparks tensions between rival gangs, turning the city upside down in a story of forbidden love and teen rebellion. Set in 1954 Baltimore, the show features rockabilly-inspired songs, including “The Anti-Polio Picnic”, “Screw Loose”, and “Girl, Can I Kiss You with Tongue”. Originally presented on Broadway in 2008, the musical is based on the Universal Pictures film written and directed by John Waters. The book was written by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger. With a 17-strong ensemble, this marks the largest cast in the theatre’s history. Adam Davidson will play Cry-Baby, while Lulu-Mae Pears will take on the role of Allison. Elliot Allinson joins as Baldwin Blandish, with Jazzy Phoenix as Pepper Walker. Eleanor Walsh will appear as Lenora Frigid, Chad Saint Louis as Dupree W Dupree, Kingsley Morton as Mona Malnorowski, and India Chadwick as Wanda Woodward. Shirley Jameson will play Mrs Cordelia Vernon-Williams, while Paul Kemble takes on the roles of Judge and Father O’Neill. The ensemble includes JR Ballantyne, Laura Buhagiar, Omer Cem Coltu, Ellie-Grace Cousins, Joe Grundy, Ryan Heenan, and Michael Kholwadia. The production will be directed by Arcola Theatre’s artistic director, Mehmet Ergen. The creative team includes Robert Innes Hopkins as designer, Chris Whittaker as choreographer, Ashton Moore as musical director, David Howe as lighting designer, Matthew Giles as sound designer, Defne Ozdogon as associate designer, and Jane Deitch as casting director.
• Jo – The Little Women Musical – the full line-up of West End and Broadway stars joining the new musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been revealed. Featuring music by Dan Redfeld, and book and lyrics by Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, the piece is set to have its world premiere in the West End later this year, the date and venue are yet to be confirmed. It centres around Jo March, a young woman with hopes of becoming a renowned writer and “voice for her generation”. While grieving for her sister Beth, she transforms her pain into purpose. Before that, the production will record the concept album at Abbey Road Studios. The cast will be accompanied by a 29-piece orchestra, with five-time Grammy nominee Nigel Wright and Redfield producing. As already revealed, Christine Allado, Chris Mann (The Phantom of the Opera), and Sophie Pollono (Young and the Restless) will star, alongside Eleanor Grant as Beth March, Rob Houchen as Laurie Laurence, Kelly Mathieson as Meg March, and Liam Tamne as John Brooke. Also appearing will be Tony winner Laura Benanti and WhatsOnStage and Olivier nominee Julian Ovenden. Benanti will play Marmee March, while Ovenden is Father. Today it has been announced that two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (42nd Street) will play Aunt March, two-time Tony Award nominee Bob Gunton (Sweeney Todd) will play Grandfather, Tobias Turley will take on the role of Fred Vaughn and Miyuki Miyagi (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812) will play Sallie Gardiner.

NEWS UPDATE – 3rd February 2025

• Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – has announced artistic director Drew McOnie’s inaugural season, starting in May. Programming will begin with the UK premiere of the musical comedy Shucked from 10 May to 14 June 2025. The show, about a beleaguered, corn-obsessed town, has also revealed a raft of lead casting and creatives. Following this, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill will run from 19 to 22 June 2025, featuring re-imagined dream ballets from Allegro, Oklahoma!, and Carousel, with new arrangements by Simon Hale and live accompaniment by Sinfonia Smith Square. It features lighting by Joshie Harriette, sound by Nick Lidster and costumes by Yann Seabra. The season continues with a stage adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s novel Noughts and Crosses, running from 28 June to 26 July, adapted by Dominic Cooke and directed by Tinuke Craig. The show, a loose re-adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, imagines a deeply divided society. Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical Brigadoon will follow from 2 August to 20 September 2025, in a new adaptation by Rona Munro, directed and choreographed by McOnie. The story follows WW2 fighter pilots Tommy and Jeff, who crash land in the Highlands of Scotland and search for a way home. Meanwhile, sisters Fiona and Jean are preparing for a wedding in the dreamlike village of Brigadoon. The cast includes Danielle Fiamanya as Fiona and Louis Gaunt as Tommy. This production marks the first time Brigadoon has been seen in London for over 35 years. It features songs such as “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Waitin’ for My Dearie,” and “The Heather on the Hill.”

• The Devil Wears Prada – the musical has extended its run to 3 January 2026. Featuring a score by Elton John and Shaina Taub (Suffs), book by Kate Wetherhead (Burlesque the Musical), and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), the piece had its UK premiere last year in Plymouth before moving to the Dominion Theatre. Vanessa Williams stars as the fearsome Miranda Priestly and WhatsOnStage Award winner Matt Henry plays Nigel, alongside Georgie Buckland as Andy and Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily. Joining them are James Darch (Mamma Mia!) as journalist Christian, with Rhys Whitfield as Andy’s long-term boyfriend, Nate. Debbie Kurup is the standby Miranda Priestly.
• Romantics Anonymous – Wise Children and Plush Theatricals have announced the release of the live cast album for the musical. The recording, captured during its 2020 run at Bristol Old Vic, will be available on all streaming platforms from Valentine’s Day, 14 February. The musical originally premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in 2017. Adapted from the film Les Émotifs Anonymes, the musical features direction and book by Emma Rice, with music and lyrics by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. The production was originally set to tour the United States following the Bristol premiere, but the tour was halted due to the pandemic. The musical tells the story of Angelique, a chocolate maker with social anxiety, who takes a job in Jean-Rene’s struggling chocolate factory, leading to a fragile love affair. The album features performances by Marc Antolin as Jean-René, Carly Bawden as Angélique, Brett Brown as Salesman/Fred, Me’sha Bryan as Suzanne/Mimi, Harry Hepple as Ludo/Remi, Laura Jane Matthewson as Young Woman, Sandra Marvin as Magda/Brigitte/Dr Maxim, Craig Pinder as Father/Pierre/Receptionist, and Gareth Snook as Mercier/Mumbler/Marini. The orchestra includes Tom Brady (musical direction and piano), Sarah Bowler (cello), Sophie Creaner (woodwind), and Mike Parkin (percussion), with musical supervision by Nigel Lilley. Orchestrations are by Simon Hale, mixing by Simon Baker, and mastering by Fritz Meyers.
• King Of Pangea – Jerry Mitchell, the three-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, is stepping into the role of producer for the first time with the world premiere of the new musical. The King’s Head production, has book, music, and lyrics by Martin Storrow and directed by Richard Israel, celebrates the power of hope. Based on Storrow’s own experience, the musical follows protagonist Christopher Crow as he faces the loss of his hopeful mother and escapes to the imaginary island of his childhood. With help from a wise-cracking prophet, a swaggering ship captain, and a star-gazing poetess, Christopher sets off on a journey to claim his sovereignty. Mitchell has recently directed and choreographed The Devil Wears Prada in London and Becoming Nancy in Birmingham at the Rep, with other credits including Kinky Boots and On Your Feet!. He first encountered King of Pangea when he became the writing mentor for the project during the Barn on Fire new musical writers’ residency program in Fire Island Pines, NY. The production will run from 7 June to 6 July 2025 at the King’s Head Theatre.
• Midnight Cowboy – A New Musical –will premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 4 April and is set to run until 17 May 2025. Adapted from James Leo Herlihy’s novel and the Oscar-winning 1969 film, Midnight Cowboy follows Joe Buck, a young man seeking escape from his past and a brighter future in New York. There, he encounters Rico “Ratso” Rizzo, a man equally adrift. Together, they navigate the city’s challenges, testing their dreams and resilience as they confront the harsh realities of urban life. The musical features a book by Bryony Lavery, known for her Tony-nominated play Frozen, and a score by Francis “Eg” White, a three-time Ivor Novello Award winner whose songwriting credits include Adele, Sam Smith, and Florence + The Machine. Leading the piece will be Max Bowden (EastEnders) as Rico “Ratso” Rizzo, Paul Jacob French (Grease) as Joe Buck, and Tori Allen-Martin (I Wish You Well) as Cass. They’ll be joined by Elena Breschi (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World) as Delores, Joanne Henry (Bridgerton) as Grandma Sally, Nick Len (Wicked) as Swing, Hollie-Ann Lowe (Burlesque The Musical) as Swing, Dean Makowski-Clayton (Little Fiend) as Student, Christian Maynard (Miss Saigon) as Tombaby, Phoebe Roberts (Grease) as Chalkline Annie, Tim Rogers (An Officer and a Gentleman) as Woodsy Niles, Rohan Tickell (Rock of Ages) as Mr O’Daniel, and Matthew White (The Mousetrap) as Towny. Direction and choreography are by Nick Winston, with musical arrangements, orchestrations, and supervision by Charlie Ingles. The creative team includes Andrew Exeter (set and lighting design), Sophia Pardon (costume design), Yvonne Gilbert (sound design), and Ellie Verkerk (musical direction). Additional team members include Libby Watts (associate direction and choreography), Lucy Fennell (intimacy direction), and Mary Howland (dialect coaching), and Sarah-Jane Pirce (casting).
• Coraline – the stage version of Neil Gaiman’s musical has cancelled its tour. The show was due to debut in Leeds, before it embarks on a UK tour to Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. The producers feel it would be impossible to continue in the context of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaiman were published earlier this month following an initial podcast series last summer.
• The Addams Family – the musical will return this summer opening at Birmingham Hippodrome (10 to 12 July), Curve Leicester (15 July to 10 August), the Lowry, Salford (12 to 16 August) and Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (19 to 23 August). The Addams Family has previously completed two UK and Ireland tours. The production is directed by Matthew White, with choreography by Alistair David, designs by Diego Pitarch, orchestrations by Richard Beadle, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, and sound design by Richard Brooker. The Addams Family is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, John Stalker Productions and Bill Kenwright Ltd, with co-producers ADAMA Entertainment and Guy James. It is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

• And Drama –
  • Lost Atoms – the world premiere of Lost Atoms, written by Anna Jordan and directed by Scott Graham will mark Frantic Assembly’s 30th anniversary year and the co-production with Leicester Curve, Mayflower Southampton, and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre will premiere at Curve, Leicester from 22 September to 4 October 2025. It will then continue to Theatre Royal York, Liverpool Playhouse, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre Colchester, The Lowry Salford Quays, Connaught Theatre Worthing, Mayflower Studios Southampton, Bristol Old Vic, and will culminate in a four-week run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 29 January to 28 February 2026. Lost Atoms explores the story of a relationship, questioning whether it was extraordinary, typical, toxic, or doomed from the start. The narrative delves into the shared pasts of two people and their imagined futures, examining how memory impacts the perception of love and what constitutes a successful relationship. The creative team includes Andrzej Goulding as set designer, Simisola Majekodunmi as lighting designer, Carolyn Downing as sound designer, Alice McNicholas as costume designer, and Julie Blake as music supervisor.
  • Hamlet – The RSC’s new production will tour next year opening at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro from 24 to 28 February 2026 before visiting the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (3 to 7 March), Norwich Theatre Royal (10 to 14 March), Nottingham Theatre Royal (17 to 21 March), Grand Theatre, Blackpool (24 to 28 March), Theatre Royal, Newcastle (31 March to 4 April), York Theatre Royal (14 to 18 April), and the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (21 to 25 April). Directed by Rupert Goold, whose previous work includes Dear England at the National Theatre and Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice for the RSC, this fresh take on Shakespeare’s exploration of family and tragedy will tour several UK venues from next February. It is about to start previews at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon. The creative team includes set designer Es Devlin, costume designer Evie Gurney, lighting designer Jack Knowles, composer and sound designer Adam Cork, movement director Hannes Langolf, video designer Akhila Krishnan, and casting director Charlotte Sutton.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird – Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s seminal text is set for a major UK tour. Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, published in 1960, explores racial injustice in America and features one of the most iconic characters in literary history – small-town lawyer Atticus Finch. Directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I), the tour will begin its season at Leeds Playhouse, where the production will play 8 September to 4 October 2025, before moving to Nottingham Playhouse (7 to 18 October), Festival Theatre in Edinburgh (21 to 25 October), King’s Theatre in Glasgow (4 to 8 November), Theatre Royal Bath (11 to 22 November), Millennium Centre, Cardiff (25 to 29 November). In 2026, the show will visit the Lowry in Salford (13 to 24 January 2026), Sheffield Lyceum (27 January to 7 February 2026), Bord Gais Theatre in Dublin (10 to 21 February 2026), Grand Opera House in Belfast (24 February to 7 March 2026), Theatre Royal Plymouth (10 to 14 March 2026), Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury (17 to 21 March 2026), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (24 to 28 March 2026), Birmingham Hippodrome (14 to 18 April 2026), Theatre Royal Newcastle (21 to 25 April 2026), Theatre Royal Norwich (28 April to 2 May 2026), Empire Theatre, Liverpool (12 to 16 May 2026), and Milton Keynes Theatre (19 to 23 May 2026).